BX 

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CATECHISM 



j SUNDAY SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES. 



fir Jiftg tfoo J^ssmts. 



By PHILIP.: SCHAFF,. I>.D. 



Froni Home to the School} from the School to the Church | 
from the Church to Heaven, 



PHILADELPHIA: 
LINDSAY & BLAKISTOIv 

CHAMBERSBURG, PA.: M. KIEFFER & CO. 



phant of QtMptM. 

^y/,.// 2 » S 3 

^^aAzfirr/Zit^^S'^. 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



A 



CATECHISM 

FOR 

SUNDAY SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES. 



|n #ftg lino f issoits. 
By PHILIP SCHAFF, D.D. 



From Home to the School; from the School to the Church; 
from the Church to Heaven. 



PHILADELPHIA: 
LINDSAY & BLAKISTON. 

CHAMBERSBURG, PA. : M. KIEFFER & CO. 
1862. 



Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1862, by 
PHILIP SCHAFF, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for th( 
Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 

ELECTROTYPED BY L. J0ENS0X & CO. 
PHILADELPHIA. 



PREFACE. 



The preparation of this Catechism was to the author a labor of love 
and a spiritual recreation. Every Christian feels the need of going 
back, from time to time, to the simplest elements of religion, and be- 
coming a child again among children. " Out of the mouth of babes 
and sucklings hast thou ordained strength." " Except ye be converted, 
and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of 
heaven." The best part of our knowledge of divine things is contained 
in those familiar verses of the Bible and the hymn-book which we 
learned at home and in school; and, when we come to die, we willingly 
exchange the most learned systems of theology for the Lord's Prayer 
and the Creed, which recall to our heart the sacred memories and tra- 
ditions of childhood. 

A Catechism on the Christian religion should present the articles of 
faith fresh from the fountain of the word of God to the mind and heart 
of the pupil, for his instruction and comfort in life and in death. It 
should give no undue proportion to any particular doctrine, but should 
move in the central current of Christian truth. The more important de- 
nominational differences may be stated for historical information, but 
in a kind and charitable spirit, and with a view to promote rather than 
to diminish unity and harmony among the various branches of Christ's 
kingdom. There is room, however, for a variety of Catechisms, corre- 
sponding to the different degrees of Christian nurture, which com- 
mences at home under the eye of the mother, is carried forward in 
the school under the instruction of the teacher, and is completed in 
the catechetical class under the care of the pastor. 

"We have endeavored in the present work to combine the advantages 
of a historical with those of a merely doctrinal Catechism, and clear- 
ness and simplicity of style with fulness of matter. Whether, and to 
what extent, we have succeeded, and what position this Catechism may 
assume in the Sunday-school literature of our age and country, can 
only* be determined by actual use. In commencing with the expo- 
sition of the Lord's Prayer, we deviated from catechetical usage, 
but conformed to the natural educational order ; for children are gene- 

iii 



for 



PREFACE. 



rally first taught the Lord's Prayer, or how to pray, then the Apostles-" 
Creed, or what to believe, and last, the Ten Commandments, or how to 
act. The division into fifty-two lessons was not made with reference to 
the number of Sundays in the year (as in the modern editions of the 
Heidelberg Catechism), but naturally grew out of the internal order 
and arrangement of the material, and was gladly accepted as an appro- 
priate, and perhaps useful, coincidence. 

To satisfy different wants and tastes, we thought proper to issue two 
editions, — a small one, which contains only the questions and answers, 
and a large one, with proof-texts and notes for teachers and more ad- 
vanced scholars. The latter has imperceptibly grown almost to the 
extent and character of a popular outline of theology. Those Scrip- 
ture passages which should be committed to memory, are marked by 
a (*). Occasional explanations are carefully distinguished from the 
text by brackets. 

Although independent in method, order, and design, this book will be 
found to agree in every essential doctrine with the Heidelberg Cate- 
chism, which was first published three hundred years ago, in January, 
1563. For spirituality, depth, unction, freshness, and wise moderation, 
this venerable symbol of the Reformed Church has no superior in the 
catechetical literature of Christendom. Born of genuine evangelical 
inspiration in the pentecostal days of Protestantism, it has stood the 
test of three centuries, gathering strength and honor with advancing 
age, and bids fair long to continue its mission of peace, both as a guide 
of catechetical instruction and as a standard of public doctrine. It 
gives us pleasure to make this statement, from a somewhat careful 
comparison of ancient and modern Catechisms of different denomi- 
nations, in view of the approaching tri-centenary celebration of the 
formation of the Heidelberg Catechism, for which preparations are 
now making in the German and Dutch Reformed Churches of Europe 
and America. 

We now commit this new Catechism to the hands of pastors and 
teachers, unto whom the chief Shepherd has intrusted the feeding of 
His lambs. 

P. S. 

Theol. Seminary, Mercersburg, Pa. 
May 10, 1862. 



TABLE OF LESSONS. 



THE LORD'S PRAYER. — THE CREED. — THE TEN 



COMMANDMENTS. Pages 5-8. 

INTRODUCTORY LESSONS. pAGE 

I. — The True End of Man 9 

II.— The Way of Salvation 9 

III. — The Holy Scriptures 10 

IV. — The Old and the New Testament 11 

V.— The Old Testament 12 

VI.— The New Testament 13 



PART FIRST. 



THE LORD'S PRAYER. 

VII.— Of Prayer 15 

VIII.— The Lord's Prayer 16 

IX.— The Address . 17 

X.— The First Three Petitions 18 

XL— The Last Three Petitions 20 



PART SECOND. 

THE APOSTLES* CREED, OR ? THE CHRISTIAN FAITH. 

XIL— Of the Christian Faith 22 

XIIL— The Apostles' Creed 23 

XIV.— The Existence and Attributes of God 24 

XV.— The Unity and Trinity of God 25 

1* 5 



Ti TABLE OF LESSONS. 

PAGE 

XVI.— The Creation of the World 26 

XVII. — Preservation and Providence 27 

XVIIL— The State of Innocence 28 

XIX.— The Fall 29 

XX.— Of Sin 30 

XXL— The Punishment of Sin 32 

XXII. — Preparation for the Coming of Christ 33 

XXIII. — Jesus Christ. — His Names 34 

XXIV. — The Person of Christ 35 

XXV.— The Two States of Christ 36 

XXVI.— The Birth and Childhood of Christ 37 

XXVII.— The Public Life and Ministry of Christ 39 

XX VIII.— The Passion and Death of Christ 40 

XXIX.— The Burial, and Descent into Hades 42 

XXX. — The Resurrection, and Ascension of Christ... 43 
XXXL— The Sitting at the Bight Hand of God, and 

Return to Judgment 44 

XXXIL— The Threefold Office and Work of Christ...... 45 

XXXIIL— The Holy Spirit 46 

XXXIV. — The Christian Church, and the Communion 

of Saints 4S 

XXXV.— The Means of Grace 49 

XXXVL— Holy Baptism 51 

XXXVIL— The Lord's Supper 52 

XXXVIII. — The Order of Salvation. — Regeneration 55 

XXXIX. — Justification and Sanctification 56 

XL. — The Resurrection of the Body, and the Life 

Everlasting 58 



PART THIRD. 

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, OR, THE CHRISTIAN 
LIFE. 

XLL— The Ten Commandments 60 

XLII. — The First Commandment 61 

XLIII. — The Second Commandment 62 



TABLE OF LESSONS. vii 

PAGE 

XLIV.— The Third Commandment 64 

XLV. — The Fourth Commandment 65 

XLVL— The Fifth Commandment 66 

XLVII. — The Sixth Commandment 67 

XLVIIL— The Seventh Commandment 69 

XLIX.— The Eighth Commandment 70 

L. — The Ninth Commandment 70 

LI. — The Tenth Commandment 72 

LII. — Concluding Questions 73 



/ 



The Lord's Prayer, 

©ur dFatf)er tofio art in f)eaben : 
J^allotoetf fie €f)g name. C^g feingfcom 
come. Cftg totll fie tone on eartf), as it is 
in f)eaben. ©ibe us tf)is fcag our Xiatlg 
fireaiL &nir forgtbe us our befits, as toe 
forgibe our trefitors. anir leaft us not into 
temptation, fiut Miber us from ebiL 

dfor €f)ine is tf)e kingdom, anir tf)e potoer, 
anil tf)e glorg, foreber. amen. 



The Creed. 

I fieltebe in <©oft tfje dFatjer aimtg^tg, 
JHafeer of fjeaben ani eartf). 

an* in SJesus Christ f)is onlg fiegotten 
Son our Eori; tof)o teas concetbet* tig tf)e 
ll^olg <@f)ost, torn of tfje Virgin iffllarg; 
suffered unfcer Pontius dilate, toas cructftei, 
iieali, anil fiurieft; %e iiescentielr into ijatjes; 
tfie tt)irt tiag %e rose from tfje ireafc; $Je 
asceniiei into fjeaben; antr sitteti) at tfje 
rtgfjt fjanti of <©oS tf)e dFatfjer aimigf)tg; 

5 



6 THE CREED — THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. 



from thence tyz sfjall come to jutrge X\)t quick 
and tf)e dead* 

I fcettebe in tf)e pjolg (Sljost; tf)e fjolg 
catljoltc <£f)urel), tl)e communion of saints; 
tije forgtbeuess of sins; tf)e resurrection of 
tf)e fioig, anir t|)e life eberlasting* Emem 



The Ten Commandments. 

©oft spatte all tijese toortis, sagtng: 

I am tt)e ILori tf)g ©oil, tofncl) tjabe iroug|)t 

tl)ce out of tf)e land of 5£ggpt, out of tf)e 

l)eusc of fiondage. • 
I. Cijou sf)alt f)abe no otf)er gods fiefore 

mt. 

EE CJjou sfjait not matte unto tfjee ang 
graben image, or ang lifeeness of ang tf)tng 
tf)at is in Ijeaben aliobe, or tfjat is in tty 
eartfj ieneatl), or tf)at ts in tj)e toater under 
ti)t eartf) : tfjou sfjalt not fcoto dobm tfjgself 
to tf)em, nor serbe tfjem, 

dFor I tt)e 3Lord tt)g ©od am a jealous 
©oli t bistttng tlje mtquttg of tf)e fathers upon 
tlje children unto tl)e tljird and fourtf) gene- 
ration of tljem tljat fjate i£le ; and sftetoing 
mercg unto thousands of % tijem tfjat lobe #Ke, 
and feeep iHg commandments. 



THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. 



7 



155- JTfjou sfjalt not tafee tf)e natne of tf)e 
Eortr tf)g Ooti tn bam* 

dFor tf)e Eort totll not fjolli f)tm guiltless 
tljat ta&etl) ?ljts name in bain* 

IF. Remember tf)e sabiatf) fcas, to &eep 
it Ijolg. Sbix tiags sfiait tfjou labor, anti tia 
all tf)g toorft: but tf)e sebenti) fcag ts tf)e 
sabbatf) of tf)e Uorti tfjg @oti: tn it tfjou 
sftalt not fco ang toorfe, tf»ou, nor t^B son, 
nor ti)g imugfjter, tf)g man^serbant, nor tf)g 
maib-serbant, nor tf)g cattle, nor tfjg stranger 
tljat is Inttfitn tf)g gates. 

df or tn six iags tf)e 3Lcri mabe fjeaben antr 
eartf), tl)e sea, ant* all t^at in tl)em ts, an* 
rested tf)e sebenti) trag: therefore tl)e iLort 
blessetr ti)e sabfiatf) bag, anb fiallotoeb tt. 

V. %onor t^B father anb tf)g mother : tljat 
tf)g bags mag be long upon tf)e lanb tof)icf) 
tf)e Horb tl)B ©ob gibetf) tf)ee> 

F5. Cfiou stialt not fetll. 

1755. Cpu sljalt not commit adulters* 

F555. Cpu sijalt not steal. 

5X. Cpu sfjalt not bear false toitness 
against t{)S netgpor. 

X. Cljou sfialt not cobet tf)g neighbor's 
fjouse, tJjou sfjalt not cobet tt)g neigpor's 



8 



THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. 



totfe, nor f)ts man^serbant, nor fjts mail? 
mbant, nor ox, nor t)ts ass, nor ang 
t^tng tljat t0 tf)g netgpor's* 



CJoii sf)alt lobe tf)e Horfc t^g ©oil tottf) all 
tijg f)eart, anii bntf) all tf)g soul, ani Inttf) all 
tijg mtnti* Cljts ts tf)e first ant great com^ 
maninnent 

Eni tije second ts Itfee unto it : Cfjou js^aXt 
lobe tijg netgpor as ti)gseli 

©n iijese ttoo commandments Sang all ti)e 
lato anii tl)e propfiets* 



A 



CHRISTIAN CATECHISM. 



I, The True End of Man, 

1. Who made you? 

Almighty God, our heavenly Father. 

2. Who redeemed you ? 
Our Lord Jesus Christ. 

3. Who sanctifies youf 
The Holy Spirit. 

4. For what end were you created? 

For the glory of God and for eternal 
blessedness. 

5. What, then, should be your chief concern in this 
life? 

To do the will of God, and to save my soul. 



II. The Way of Salvation, 

1. Is it the will of God, that you should be saved? 
Yes. 

2. Why so? 

Because God is love, and will have all men 
to be saved. 

2 9 



10 OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES. 



3. How has God revealed his love to you? 

By giving his only begotten Son, our Lord 
and Saviour Jesus Christ. 

4. Can you he saved, by your own strength ? 

No ; but only by the grace of God in 
Christ. 

5. What must you do to be saved? 

I must believe in Jesus Christ and follow 
him. 

6. Where is the way of salvation pointed out to us? 
In the Holy Scriptures. 

III. Of the Holy Scriptures. 

1. Where has God revealed himself? 

In the works of creation, in the conscience 
of man, and in the history of nations, but 
most fully and clearly in his infallible word. 

2. What is the word of God? 

The Bible, or the Holy Scriptures. 

3. What does the word Bible mean? 

The book of books, or the best and most 
important of all books. 

4. Who wrote the Bible? 

Prophets and apostles, under the inspiration 
of the Holy Ghost. 

5. What are the contents of the Bible? 

The revelation of the triune God in the 
creation, the redemption, and the sanctification 
of the world. 



THE OLD AND THE NEW TESTAMENT. 11 

6. What is the use of the Bible ? 

It shows us the way of salvation, and is the 
infallible rule of the Christian faith and 
life. 

7. Who enables you to understand the Bible? 

The same Holy Spirit who inspired the Bible, 
and is given to them that ask it. 

8. What should you do with the Bible? 

We should diligently and devoutly hear and 
read the Bible, lay it to heart, and keep it. 



IV. The Old and the New Testament. 

1. How is the Bible divided? 

Into the Old, and the New Testament. 

2. What does the word Testament mean ? 

The covenant which Grod made with man. 

3. What covenants did God make with man? 
First the covenant of the law through his 

servant Moses, and then the covenant of the 
gospel through his Son Jesus Christ. 

4. What does the Old Testament contain ? 
The law and the promise. 

5. What does the New Testament contain? 
The gospel and the fulfilment. 

6. How, then, are both related to each other? 

The Old Testament is the preparation for 
the New, and the New Testament is the per- 
fection of the Old. 



12 



THE OLD TESTAMENT. 



7. In what language was the Bible originally 

written t 

The Old Testament was written in Hebrew, 
the New Testament in Greek ; but both are 
now translated into almost every language of 
the world. 

8. What is the sum and substance of both Testa- 
ments ? 

Jesus Christ, 



V. The Old Testament. 

1. How many books does the Old Testament contain? 
Thirty-nine. 

2. How are they divided f 

Into historical, poetical, and prophetical 
books. 

3. Name the historical books. 

First, the five books of Moses, severally 
called Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, 
and Deuteronomy. 

4. Name the other historical books. 

Joshua, Judges, Ruth, First and Second 
Samuel, First and Second Kings. First and Se- 
cond Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. 

5. Which are the poetical books? 

Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes cr the 
Preacher, and the Song of Solomon. 

6. Which are the prophetical books f 

The prophecies of the four greater, and the 
twelve minor prophets. 



THE NEW TESTAMENT. 



13 



1. Name the greater prophets. 
Isaiah, Jeremiah (with the Lamentations), 
Ezekiel, and Daniel. 

8. Name the minor prophets. 

Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, 
Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zecha- 
riah, and Malachi. 

9. What are all these boohs called? 

The canonical books of the Old Testament. 

10. Why so f 

Because they are divinely inspired, and, 
together with the New Testament, constitute 
the rule of faith. 



VI. The New Testament. 

1. How many books does the New Testament contain? 
Twenty-seven. 

2. How is the New Testament divided t 

Into historical, doctrinal, and prophetical 
books. 

3. Which are the historical books of the New Testa- 
ment f 

The four Gospels and the Acts. 

4. Who wrote the Gospels f 

The Apostles and Evangelists Matthew, 
Mark, Luke, and John. 

5. What does the word Gospel mean? 

The glad tidings of salvation by Christ. 

2* 



14 



THE NEW TESTAMENT. 



6. Of what do the Gospels treat f 

Of the life and doctrine, the death and 
resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

7. Who is the author of the Acts of the Apostles ? 
Luke, the Evangelist. 

8. What do the Acts contain? 

The history of the founding and spread of 
Christianity under the Apostles, especially St. 
Peter and St. Paul. 

9. Which are the doctrinal or didactic books ? 
Fourteen epistles of Paul, and seven catho- 
lic or general epistles. 

10. Name the Epistles of St. Paul. 

The Epistle to the Romans, First and Second 
Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, 
Colossians, First and Second Thessalonians, 
First and Second Timothy, Titus, Philemon, 
and Hebrews. 

11. Name the catholic or general Epistles. 

Two Epistles of Peter, three of John, one 
of James, and one of Jude. 

12. Of what do the doctrinal books treat f 
Of the Christian faith and life. 

13. Which is the prophetical book of the New Testa- 
ment t 

The Revelation of St. John. 

14. What are the contents of the Revelation? 

A prophetical description of the conflicts 
and triumphs of the Christian Church till the 
glorious coming of Christ. 



03? PRAYER. 



15 



PART FIRST. 
VII. Of Prayer. 

1 . What is prayer f 

The raising of the heart to God, and com- 
muning with him. 

2. Why should we pray ? 

Because we are poor, needy creatures, and 
receive all gifts of body and soul from the 
goodness of God. 

3. Is prayer simply a duty ? 

It is not only a sacred duty, but also a pre- 
cious privilege of the children of God. 

4. What are the different hinds of prayer? 
Petition, intercession, thanksgiving, and 

praise. 

5. To whom should we pray t 

Only to God, who is both able and willing 
to give us all we need. 

6. How should we pray? 

In the name of Jesus, humbly and devoutly, 
with childlike faith in God's mercy, and resig- 
nation to his holy will. 



16 



THE LORD'S PRAYER. 



7. For what may we pray ? 

For all spiritual and temporal blessings, but 
not for any thing which is contrary to the will 
of God. 

8. For whom should we pray? 

For ourselves, for our brethren, and for all 
men, even our enemies. 

9. Where can and should we pray ? 
Everywhere, but especially in the church, 

in the family, and in the closet. 

10. How often should we pray? 

At all times, but especially every morning 
and evening, and at every meal. 

11. Does God hear our prayers ? 

Yes : God heareth all our prayers, for he is 
omnipresent and omniscient. 

12. Does God answer our prayers? 

Yes : God answers our prayers for Christ's 
sake, because he is our merciful Father. 

13. But when does God refuse our prayers? 

When we ask amiss, or for things injurious 
to us. 



VIII. The Lord's Prayer. 

1. Which is the model prayer ? 
The Lord's Prayer, which Jesus himself 
has taught his disciples. 

r 



THE ADDRESS. 



17 



2. Repeat the Lord's Prayer, 

©ur atfier tofjo art in fjeaben : 
p^allotoetr tie €t)g name. CJ)g femg^om 
come. STf)B totll fce iione on eartf), as it ts 
tn f)eaben. <©tbe us tjjts irag our iiatlg 
ireair. aintr forgtbe us our iiefcts, as toe 
forgtbe our tiet)tors. &nfc leatr us not into 
temptation, tmt Mtber us from ebtl. 

JTor C|)tne is tf)e tungfcom, anft tfie ptoer, 
ani tfje glorg, foreber. &men. 

3. How many parts has the Lords Prayer? 
Three parts: an address, six petitions, and 

a doxology. 

4. How do you divide the petitions ? 

Into two classes, each consisting of three 
petitions. 

5. To what do the first three petitions refer? 

To the riches and glory of God, which 
we call down in prayer from heaven upon* 
earth. 

6. To what do the last three petitions refer? 

To the poverty and need of man, from 
which we rise up to God in prayer. 



IX. The Address. 

1. What is the address of the Lords Prayer? 
Our Father who art in heaven. 

2. Why do you address God as Father ? 
Because he is our reconciled Father in 



18 THE FIRST THREE PETITIONS. 



Christ, and because we should approach him 
with childlike reverence and trust. 

3. Why do you say, "Our Father" and not, "My 
Father"? 

Because we should pray not only for our- 
selves, but also for our kindred and friends, 
and for all men. 

4. Why do you add, "who art in heaven" ? 
Because God is far above all earthly fathers, 

and because in praying we should raise the 
heart to heaven, where God dwells in eternal 
glory, and where our true home is. 

5. Is God not also on earth? 

God is everywhere : the heaven is his throne, 
and the earth is his footstool. 



X. The First Three Petitions. 

1. What is the first petition of the Lord's Prayer? 
Hallowed be Thy name. 

2. What does this mean ? 

Grant that we may rightly know and 
worship Thee, the only true and living God, 
and glorify Thee in thought, word, and 
deed. 

3. How is God's name dishonored? 

By cursing and swearing ; by ingratitude to 
God, and contempt of his word and authority ; 
by false doctrine and wicked practice. 



THE FIRST THREE PETITIONS. 19 



4. What is the second petition ? 
Thy kingdom come. 

5. What does this mean? 

Reign in us more and more by Thy word 
and Thy Spirit, and spread the gospel over the 
whole world, until all men become true Chris- 
tians, and God be all in all. 

6. Why should we pray for the coming of the king- 
dom of God, since it has already come in Christ f 

Because we ourselves are not yet perfect 
Christians, and because a great part of man- 
kind are either no Christians, or false Chris- 
tians. 

7. Who are not Christians f 

The heathens, Jews, Mohammedans, and 
infidels. 

8. Who are false Christians f 

Those who profess Christ with their lips, 
but deny him in their lives. 

9. What is the third petition f 

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 

10. What does this mean ? 

Grant that we may renounce our own evil 
will, and cheerfully obey Thine only good and 
perfect will, even as the angels and saints in 
heaven. 

11. What is the will of God concerning us f 

That we should be holy, even as he is holy, 
and that by faith in Christ we should obtain 
eternal life. 



20 THE LAST THREE PETITIONS. 



XI. The Last Three Petitions. 

1. What is the fourth petition f 

Give us this day our daily bread. 

2. What does this mean f 

Grant us all things necessary for the body ; 
make us content with little, and grateful for 
all Thy gifts. 

3. What is the fifth petition f 

Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our 
debtors. 

4. What does this mean f 

Cleanse us from all our sins through the 
blood of Jesus Christ our Saviour. 

5. Why do you add: as we forgive our debtors f 
Because we should always be ready from 

the heart to forgive our neighbor, and to do 
good even to our enemy. 

6. What is the sixth petition f 

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us 
from evil. 

7. What does this mean? 

Guard and strengthen us against the tempt- 
ations of the flesh, the world, and the devil, 
and save us at last in heaven, where we shall be 
free from all sin and evil, and enjoy thee forever. 

8. What is the doxology? 

Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and 
the glory, forever. 



THE LAST THREE PETITIONS. 21 



9. What does this mean? 

That God is both able and willing to give 
us all good things, and that we should give 
him all glory and praise for ever and ever. 

10. What do you express by the concluding word, 
Amen? 

My fervent desire and strong faith that God, 
who is faithful and true, will surely answer my 
prayer. 



3 



22 



OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH. 



PART SECOND. 
Z\\t Christian |»Uft. 

XII. Of the Christian Faith. 

1. What is Christian faith ? 

A vital union of the soul with Christ, by 
which we become partakers of his life and all 
his benefits. 

2. What belongs to true faith ? 

A knowledge of God and of Christ, a belief 
in his word, and a hearty confidence in his 
mercy. 

3. What are the contents and object of faith? 

The triune God and his holy word, espe- 
cially the gospel of Christ. 

4. Who works faith in us? 
The Holy Spirit. 

5. How does the Holy Spirit work faith? 

By the means of grace, especially the preach- 
ing of the gospel. 

6. What is the effect of faith? 
Faith justifies and saves. 

7. Is, then, faith the ground or cause of salvation? 
No ; Jesus Christ is the only ground of our 

salvation. 



THE APOSTLES CREED. 



23 



8. What, then, has faith to do with salvation? 

It is the condition of salvation, because it 
accepts and appropriates Jesus Christ and his 
merit to our personal benefit. 

9. What is the nature of justifying and saving faith f 
It must be living, and bring forth good works. 

10. Is there also a dead faith? 

Yes ; the devils also believe and tremble. 

11. Should we also confess our faith? 

Yes ; we should openly confess Christ before 
men, and never be ashamed of him. 



XIIL The Apostles' Greed. 

1. What is the Apostles 1 Creed? 

A summary of the chief articles of the 
Christian faith which are necessary to our 
salvation. 

2. Why is it called the Apostles' Creed? 
Because it agrees with the doctrine of the 

apostles. 

3. Repeat this Creed. 

I fieltebe in ©oi tf)e dFatfier aimtgfjtg, 
itlafter of f)eaben an* eartf). 

anti in §tm$ <&i\mt |t0 onlg fogotten 
Son our ilorti; tofjo toas concetbrt tg tf)e 
pjolg @i)O0t, fiorn of ti)e Utrfitn JSlarg; 
suffered uvtim Pontius ^tlaie, teas cturifirt, 
tieali, anti fiurtrt; ^tt ^zuzxtitts into f)dl 



24 EXISTENCE AND ATTRIBUTES OF GOD. 



[I)auts] ; tl)t tf)trti tsag fflz rose from tfjr if ai ; 
l^e asce nieiJ into fjeaben ; antr stttcti) at tlje 
rtgf)t Ijant* of ©oil tf)e dFatljer SUmtgfjtp; 
from t|ence i$e shall come to jutige tlje qutcfc 
ani tf)e tieatL 

E fieltirbe ht tf^e i^olg ©i)O0t ; ti)e Ijolg 
catholic ffif)urrf), t^e communion of saints; 
ffje forgtbencss of sins; tf)e resurrection of 
\%t Soig, anli tJje life ebcrlasttng* Emeu, 

4. How is the Creed divided? 

Into three parts, which correspond to the 
three persons of the Holy Trinity. 

5. Of what does the first part treat? 

Of God the Father, and our creation. 

6. Of what does the second part treat? 

Of God the Son, and our redemption. 

7. Of what does the third part treat? 

Of God the Holy Ghost, and our sanctification. 

8. Why do you say: I believe? 

Because I must believe for myself, and be- 
come personally united to Christ, in order to 
be saved. 

XIV. The Existence and Attributes of God. 

L What do you believe concerning God the Father? 
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker 
of heaven and earth. 

2. What is God? 

God is the uncreated and infinite Spirit, the 



THE UNITY AND TRINITY OF GOD. 25 

greatest and most perfect Being, the Author 
and Giver of all good. 

3. Whence do you know the existence of God? 
From the works of creation, the conscience 

of man, the history of the world, and from the 
Holy Scripture. 

4. Are there any sensible men who deny the existence 
of God? 

No ; only the fool says in his heart : There 
is no God. 

Ps. 14, 1. 

5. What are the principal attributes of God? 

God is eternal, almighty, omnipresent, omni- 
scient, most wise, holy, righteous, longsuffer- 
ing, and full of love, mercy, and truth. 



XV. The Unity and Trinity of God. 

1. - Are there more gods than one? 

No : there is but one living and true God. 

2. But is God not triune ? 

Yes: God is one in essence or being, and 
triune in person. 

3. Name the three persons in the one Divine being. 
The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost ; 

and these three are one. 

4. Why do you believe in the Holy Trinity? 
Because God has so revealed himself in his 

word, and continues so to reveal himself. 

I 



26 



THE CREATION OF THE WORLD. 



5. How does God reveal himself? 

As Father in the work of creation, as Son in 
the work of redemption, and as Holy Spirit in 
the work of sanctification. 



XVL The Creation of the World, 

1. Who created the world? 
God the Father Almighty. 

2. What do you mean by the world which God made? 
The heaven and the earth, and all that in 

them is, things visible and invisible, men and 
angels. 

3. Through whom did God create the world ? 
Through his Son, the eternal Word, 

4. When did God create the world? 
In the beginning of time. 

5. Of what did God create the world? 
Out of nothing, by his almighty will. 

6. How was the world when God made it? 
Very good. 

7. For what end did God create the world? 

For his own glory, and for the happiness of 
his creatures. 

8. What does the article of creation teach you ? 
That in all the works of creation I should 

admire and adore the majesty, power, wisdom, 
and goodness of God. 



PRESERVATION AND PROVIDENCE. 27 



XVII. Preservation and Providence. 

1 . What do you mean by the preservation of the world f 
That God, by his almighty and omnipresent 

power, keeps the world in existence, and, by 
his goodness, provides all his creatures with 
food, raiment, and shelter. 

2. Does God Almighty care even for the smallest of 
his creatures? 

Yes, even for the fowls of the air, and the 
lilies of the field: how much more, then, for 
man, his favorite creature ! 

3. What do you mean by the providence of God and 
the government of the world ? 

That God rules the world according to an 
eternal plan of infinite wisdom and love, and 
causes all things, even sin and evil, to work 
together for the glory of his name and the 
welfare of his children. 

4. Is there, then, no such thing as chance? 

No : all things come from the wise and fa- 
therly will of God ; seedtime and harvest, cold 
and heat, summer and winter, day and night, 
wealth and poverty, health and sickness, life 
and death. 

5. What should the belief in Providence teach 
you? 

To be thankful in prosperity, patient in 
adversity, and at all times to put our trust in 
God, who does all things well. 



28 



THE STATE OF INNOCENCE. 



XVIIL The State of Innocence. 

1. Of what parts does man consist? 

Of a material body, and a rational immortal 
soul. 

2. How did God create man? 

God created man in his own image. 

3. What does this mean? 

God made man pure and holy, with dominion 
over nature, and endowed him with the capa- 
city for intellectual and moral perfection. 

4. What is the original state of man called? 
The state of innocence. 

5. Why so? 

Because man was free from sin, and knew 
no sin. 

6. What were the names of our first parents? 
Adam and Eve. 

7. Where did they live in the state of innocence? 

In paradise, in blessed communion with God. 

8. Are there other rational beings besides men? 
Yes : the angels. 

9. What are the angels? 

Holy and blessed spirits in heaven, who 
serve God, and co-operate for the salvation of 
men. 

10. Did all angels remain holy? 

No: some fell from their first estate, and 
were cast out of heaven. 



THE FALL. 



29 



XIX. The Fall. 

1. Did our first parents remain in the state of inno- 
cence? 

No : they fell, and became sinners. 

2. Wherein did the fall consist? 
In disobedience to God. 

3. What had God commanded them? 

Not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of 
good and evil. 

4. Why did God give them this commandment? 

In order to try them, and to confirm them in 
goodness. 

5. What were the stages of the fall? 

First, doubt of the word of God ; then, pride 
and lust; and finally, the actual transgression 
by eating of the forbidden fruit. 

6. Who seduced Adam and Eve to sin? 
The devil, in the disguise of a serpent. 

7. Who is the devil? 

The chief of the fallen angels, and the prince 
of darkness, 

8. Was it necessary that man should fall? 

No : he might and ought to have resisted the 
temptation, as the good angels did before, and 
as Jesus did in the wilderness. 

9. What were the consequences of the fall? 
Death, and expulsion from paradise. 



30 



OF SIN. 



10. What is death? 

All temporal and eternal evil, but more par- 
ticularly the extinction of physical life. 

11. Was the fall of man confined to our first parents ? 
No : sin and death have passed upon all the 

descendants of Adam. 

12. Is there, then, no single human being without 
sin? 

Not one, except only Jesus Christ, who re- 
deemed us from sin. 



XX. Of Sin. 

1. What is sin? 

The transgression of the law of God. 

2. Whence do you know sin f 

From the natural law of conscience, but 
more fully from the revealed law of God. 

3. Against whom can we sin? 

Against God, against our neighbor, and 
against ourselves. 

4. How do you divide sin? 

Into original sin, and actual sin. 

5. What is original, or hereditary sin? 

The natural depravity or sinful disposition 
which we inherit from our first parents. 

6. Wherein does this natural depravity consist ? 

In this, that man is by nature incapable of 
good, and prone to all evil. 



OF SIN. 31 

7. What is actual sin? 

All evil thoughts, words, and deeds. 

8. How do you distinguish actual sins f 

Into sins of commission, and sins of omission. 

9. What is a sin of commission f 

The doing of a thing which God has for- 
bidden. 

10. What is a sin of omission f 

The leaving undone what God has com- 
manded us to do. 

11. How again are actual sins divided? 

Into sins of weakness, and sins of malice. 

12. What is a sin of weakness ? 

A sin of ignorance or carelessness, followed 
by sincere repentance, as in the cases of David 
and Peter. 

13. What is a sin of malice f 

A sin which is committed knowingly and 
wilfully, as the treason of Judas. 

14. Can all sins be forgiven f 

All sins can be forgiven for Christ's sake 
on condition of repentance, with the only ex- 
ception of the blasphemy against the Holy 
Ghost, or total and final impenitence. 



4 



32 



PUNISHMENT OF SIN. 



XXL Punishment of Sin. 

1. What have we deserved by our sins f 
God's righteous wrath and punishment. 

2. Why does God punish sin ? 
Because he is holy and just. 

3. Wherewith does God punish sin ? 
With temporal and eternal death. 

4. What are the temporal punishments of sin ? 

A bad conscience, sickness, all sorts of evil 
and misery, and, finally, physical death. 

5. But have not also the children of God to suffer 
affliction and death ? 

Yes ; but by the wisdom and love of God 
all the sufferings of this present life are made 
to advance the believer in holiness, and to 
prepare him for the joys of eternity. 

6. Wherein does the eternal punishment of sin con- 
sist? 

In the entire separation of the sinner from 
God, and the endless pains of hell. 

7. Will God punish all sinners alike? 

No : he punishes every sinner according to 
the degree of his guilt. 

8. Can we deliver ourselves from sin? 

By no means ; but we daily increase our 
guilt. 



» 



33 PREPARATION FOR SALVATION. 



XXII. Preparation for Salvation. 

1. Did God leave man to the power of sin and death? 
No : God wrought out an everlasting salva- 
tion. 

2. What do you mean by salvation ? 
Deliverance from sin and death, and the 

reunion of man with God through Jesus 
Christ. 

3. Why has God wrought out such a salvation? 

Because God is love, and has no pleasure in 
the death of the sinner. 

4. Will, then, all men be saved ? 

No : only those who truly believe in Jesus 
Christ and accept his benefits. 

5. When did God determine to save men? 
From eternity. 

6. When did he first promise salvation? 

. Immediately after the fall, when he said that 
the seed of the woman should bruise the ser- 
pent's head. 

7. What does this mean? 

Christ will destroy the power of sin and the 
devil. 

8. Through whom did God further promise salvation ? 
Through the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and 

Jacob, through Moses, and the prophets of the 
old dispensation. 

4 



34 



JESUS CHRIST. HIS NAMES. 



9. Did God also foreshadow this salvation ? 

Yes: in the law, in the worship, and the 
whole history, of the people of Israel. 

10. Who was the last prophet of the old dispensation? 
John the Baptist. 

11. What was the mission of John the Baptist? 

He prepared the way of the Lord, and 
pointed to the Lamb of God which taketh 
away the sin of the world. 

12. When did God carry out the plan of salvation? 
When the time of preparation was fulfilled. 

13. Through whom did God carry out the plan of 
salvation? 

Through his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. 



XXIII. Jesus Christ —His Names. 

1. What do you believe concerning Jesus Christ? 

I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only be- 
gotten Son our Lord; who was conceived by 
the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary ; suf- 
fered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, 
and buried; He descended into hades; the 
third day He rose from the dead ; He ascended 
into heaven; and sitteth at the right hand of 
God the Father Almighty; from thence He 
shall come to judge the quick and the dead. 

2. What does the name Jesus signify? 
Jesus means a Saviour. 



OF THE PERSON OF CHRIST. 



35 



3. Why is he so called? 

Because he has saved us from sin and death. 

4. What does the name Christ signify? 
Christ, or Messiah, means the Anointed. 

5. Why is he so called? 

Because he was anointed with the Holy Spirit 
to be our perfect and eternal prophet, priest, 
and king. 

6. Why are you called a Christian? 

Because I am united to Christ by faith, and 
a partaker of his anointing, that I should follow 
his example and become more and more like 
him. 



XXIV, Of the Person of Christ. 

1 . What do you believe concerning the person of Christ ? 
Jesus Christ is the God-man, or true God 

and true man in one person, forever. 

2. Why must he unite the divine and human natures 
in his person ? 

That he might be the mediator between God 
and man, and reconcile them. 

3. How do you prove the true divinity of Christ? 
From the divine names, the divine attributes, 

the divine works, and the divine honors, of 
Christ. 

4. How do you prove the true humanity of Christ? 
From his birth, his growth, his temptation, 

his sufferings, his death and burial. 



36 THE TWO STATES OF CHRIST. 

5. Did Christ become like us in all things? 
Yes : in all things, sin only excepted. 

6. What do you mean by the sinlessness of Jesus? 
His freedom from original and actual sin, 

and his perfect holiness. 

7. Was, then, Christ not tempted like the first Adam? 

Yes : he was tempted by the devil, but he 
overcame temptation, fulfilled the law, and re- 
vealed righteousness and life. 



XXV. The Two States of Christ. 

1. What are the two states or conditions in the history 
of Christ? 

The state of humiliation, and the state of 
exaltation. 

2. What do you mean by the humiliation of Christ ? 

From infinite love to us, he freely laid aside 
his divine glory and majesty, and took upon 
himself the form of a servant. 

3. What belongs to the state of humiliation? 

Christ's conception and birth, his passion 
and death, his burial, and descent into hades. 

4. What do you mean by the exaltation of Clirist ? 

After completing the work of redemption, 
he returned to the full possession of his eternal 
divine glory, and raised human nature to a 
share in this glory. 



BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD OF JESUS. 37 



5. What are the stages of his exaltation? 

His resurrection, his ascension, his sitting 
at the right hand of God, and his return to 
judgment. 

6. What do you learn from the tivo states of Christ? 
That I should follow my Saviour in the path 

of humility and self-denial, so that I may 
become partaker also of his divine glory and 
majesty. 



XXVI. Birth and Childhood of Jesus. 

1. What do you believe concerning the birth of 
Jesus ? 

He was conceived by the power of the Holy 
Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary, of the 
house of David, a true man, yet without sin. 

2. Why did the eternal Son of God take up our 
human nature into fellowship with his divine person? 

In order that he might live, suffer, die, and 
rise again for us, and thus accomplish in our 
nature the redemption of man. 

3. When ivas Jesus born? 

During the reign of Augustus, the Roman 
emperor, and Herod the Great, the king of 
the Jews. 

4. Where was Jesus born ? 

In a stable at Bethlehem in Judea. 

5. Why was Jesus born in such poverty ? 

That by his poverty he might make us rich, 
and draw even the humblest to himself. 

4* 



38 BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD OF JESUS. 



6. What did the angels in heaven do at the birth of 
Jesus ? 

They rejoiced, and sang : " Glory to God in 
the highest, and on earth peace, good will 
toward men." 

7. What else happened at the birth of Jesus? 

The Jewish shepherds from the fields, and 
the heathen sages from the East, came and 
worshipped the child in the manger. 

8. What occurred on the eighth day after Chrisfs 
birth f 

He was circumcised according to the custom 
of the Jews, and called Jesus. 

9. What do you know of the childhood of Jesus? 

When he was twelve years old, he sat in 
the temple of Jerusalem, in the midst of the 
doctors, both hearing them and asking them 
questions, and had his chief delight in religion. 

10. What else is reported of Jesus in his youth? 

That he was subject to his parents, and in- 
creased in wisdom, and stature, and in favor 
with God and men. 

11. What benefit do you derive from the birth and 
childhood of Jesus ? 

He has redeemed our birth and childhood, 
and consecrated it to God, and has left to all 
children a perfect pattern of obedience and 
piety. 



PUBLIC LIFE AND WORK OF CHRIST. 



39 



XXVII. Public Life and Work of Christ. 

1. Where and how did Jesus grow up f 

At Nazareth in Galilee, in poverty and 
humility, as the son of a carpenter. 

2. What took place before he commenced his public 
ministry f 

He was baptized in Jordan by John the 
Baptist. 

3. Why was he baptized? 

That he might fulfil all righteousness, and 
be solemnly consecrated to his public ministry. 

4. What happened at the baptism of Jesus f 

The Holy Ghost descended upon him like a 
dove, and a voice from heaven said, " This is 
my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." 

5. What followed after the baptism of Jesus f 

He was tempted by the devil in the wilder- 
ness, as Adam and Eve were tempted in para- 
dise, but he overcame the temptation. 

6. When did Christ enter upon his public ministry f 
In the thirtieth year of his age. 

7. How long did his public life last f 
About three years. 

8. Wherein did it consist f 

He called and trained twelve apostles, taught 
the purest doctrine, and confirmed it by* the 
holiest life, and by many miracles of power 
and mercy. 



40 THE PASSION AND DEATH OF JESUS. 

9. What teas the design of Christ? 

To found the kingdom of heaven on earth, 
which was to embrace the whole human family, 
and to last forever. 

10. By what means was Christ's kingdom to be founded 

and promoted f 

Not by force or any carnal weapons, but 
by spiritual and moral means, even his passion 
and death. 

11. Of what benefit is the public life of Christ to 
you f 

It is an exemplar of the highest piety and 
virtue, or of perfect love to God and man, for 
our imitation. 



XXVIII. The Passion and Death of Jesus. 

1. When did Jesus suffer? 

During the whole time of his life on earth. 

2. What did he suffer ? 

Poverty and sorrow, and the hatred and 
opposition of the ungodly world. 

3. When did he suffer most ? 

At the end of his earthly life, in the garden 
of Gethsemane, before Caiaphas and Pontius 
Pilate, and on the cross. 

4. What did he suffer there ? 

He suffered unutterable pains in body and 
soul, and bore the guilt of the whole world. 



THE PASSION AND DEATH OF JESUS. 41 

5. Name the chief events of his passion. 

He was betrayed by Judas, taken prisoner, 
denied by Peter, dragged before the Jewish 
and heathen tribunals, mocked, scourged, 
crowned with thorns, unjustly condemned, and 
crucified between two malefactors. 

G. What death did Christ die ? 
The most painful and ignominious death of 
the cross. 

7. How did he suffer all this ? 

Like an innocent lamb, with the greatest 
meekness, patience, and resignation to the will 
of God. 

8. Why did Christ thus suffer and die ? 

Not for his sake, but in our stead, and for 
our benefit, out of free and boundless love. 

9. What benefit do you derive from CJirisfs passion 
and death ? 

He has redeemed us from the guilt and 
power of sin, and reconciled us to God. 

10. What other benefit do you derive from it? 

He has left us a perfect example of gentle- 
ness, meekness, and patience under suffering. 

11. What should you learn from Christ' s passion? 
To be forever thankful to him, and to live 

no longer unto sin, but unto him only who died 
for us. 



42 



THE BURIAL OF CHRIST. 



XXIX. The Burial of Christ, and his 
Descent into Hades. 

1. What took place after the death of Jesus? 

His body was laid in a new sepulchre in a 
garden, by his disciples, Joseph of Arirnathea, 
and Nicodenms, but did not see corruption. 

2. What does the burial of Clirist teach you? 

That he truly died, and completed the full 
measure of man's lot on earth. 

3 . What comfort do you derive from the burial of Jesus 9 

That he has taken away the terrors from 
the grave, and consecrated it for believers, so 
that their bodies sleep in Jesus in the hope of 
a blissful resurrection. 

4. But where was the soul of Christ while his body 

rested in the grave f 

He descended into hades ; that is, the lower 
world, or the region of the dead. 

5. For what 'purpose did Christ descend into hades? 

In order to announce the work of redemp- 
tion to those who died before his coming, and 
to triumph over the powers of hell. 

6. What comfort do you derive from this fact? 
That Christ has delivered us from the 

terrors of hell and the power of the devil. 



THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST. 43 



XXX. The Kesurrection and Ascension of 
Christ. 

1. What does the Bible teach concerning the resur- 
rection of Christ ? 

On the third day after his crucifixion, Christ 
rose from the grave with his glorified body, by 
his own power, as the conqueror of death, and 
the prince of life, and appeared repeatedly to 
his disciples. 

2. What is the import of this event ? 

By his resurrection, Christ completed the 
work of redemption, brought life and immor- 
tality to light, and gave us a sure pledge of 
our blessed resurrection. 

3. How should this faith move you? 

To arise from the sleep of sin, and to walk 
with Christ in newness of life. 

4. What do you believe concerning the ascension of 
Christ? 

Forty days after his resurrection, Christ 
visibly ascended to heaven from Mount Olivet, 
in the presence of the apostles, and sat down 
at the right hand of God. 

5. Is Christ, then, absent from us on earth t 

Certainly not ; he is always invisibly present 
with his people by his word and Spirit, in the 
full power of his mediatorial life and work, to 
the end of the world. 



44 CHRIST AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD. 

6. What should the ascension of Christ teach you? 

To seek those things which are above, so 
that we may become partakers at last of his 
heavenly glory. 



XXXI. Christ's Sitting at the Eight Hand 
of God, and His Return to Judgment. 

1. What do you mean by saying : "He sitteth at the 
right hand of God" ? 

That Christ, as the God-man, has part in 
the eternal glory and almighty power of God. 

2. What is the ivork of Christ in heaven f 

He rules and keeps his Church as a mighty 
King, and he intercedes for us as a merciful 
High-priest. 

3. What comfort do you derive from this faith? 

That at all times, even in tribulation and per- 
secution, we are sure of the almighty protection 
of our Saviour, who rules and overrules all 
things for our good, and will take us up at last 
to himself in heaven. 

4. What does the Bible teach concerning the second 
coming ? 

On the last day, Christ will appear in great 
power and glory, raise the dead, and judge the 
world in righteousness. 

5 . What will he jud ge ? 

The thoughts, words, and deeds of men. 

6. How will he hold judgment ? 

He will separate the righteous from the 



THE THREEFOLD OFFICE OF CHRIST. 45 



wicked, bring to light all their works, and 
award everlasting life and everlasting punish- 
ment. 

7. Do we know the time of the second coming of 
Christ? 

No ; God alone knows the day and the hour 
when the Son of man shall come. 

8. What should you do, therefore f 

We should always watch, and be ready for 
the great day of judgment. 

9. Need the pious be afraid of that day? 

No ; to the ungodly it will indeed be a day 
of terror, but to the godly, a day of joy and 
complete redemption. 



XXXII. The Threefold Office and Work of 
Christ. 

1. What are the three offices of Christ? 
He is our Prophet, Priest, and King. 

2. Were there such offices before Christ? 

Yes : there were prophets, priests, and 
kings in the Jewish dispensation, who were 
types and forerunners of Christ. 

3. How is Christ distinguished from them? 
Christ unites all these offices in one person, 

and is the last and perfect Prophet, Priest, 
and King of redeemed humanity, forever. 

4. What do you mean by the prophetical office of 
Christ? 

Christ is the light of the world, and the 

5 



46 



OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 



truth itself, and has fully revealed to us the 
will and counsel of God by his doctrine and 
example. 

5. What belongs to Ms prophetical office? 
His doctrine, prophecies, and miracles. 

6. What do you mean by the priestly office of Christ f 
Christ has reconciled us to God forever by 

his own perfect sacrifice on the cross, and 
intercedes continually for us at the right hand 
of the Father, as our eternal High-priest. 

7. What do you mean by the kingly office of 
Christ? 

Christ is the head of the Church in heaven 
and on earth, ruling it by his word and Spirit, 
protecting it against all enemies, and directing 
all things for his glory and the good of his 
people. 



XXXIIL Of the Holy Spirit. 

1. What do you believe concerning the Holy Spirit? 
I believe in the Holy Ghost ; the holy 

catholic Church, the communion of saints ; 
the forgiveness of sins ; the resurrection of 
the body, and the life everlasting. 

2. Is not the work of Christ sufficient for our salva- 
tion ? ' 

Certainly it is ; but it must be applied to 
our personal benefit by the Holy Spirit. 

3. Hoiv is this done? 

The Holy Spirit testifies of Christ as the 



OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 



47 



Saviour of sinners, unites us to him by faith, 
and makes us partakers of all his benefits. 

4. Who is the Holy Spirit? 

The third person in the Holy Trinity, pro- 
ceeding from the Father, and the Son. 

5. Why do you believe in the Divinity of the Holy 
Spirit? 

Because the Bible makes him equal with the 
Father, and the Son, and ascribes to him divine 
names, attributes, works, and honors. 

6. What is the work or office of the Holy Spirit? 
The regeneration, and sanctification of the 

redeemed. 

7. What does this mean? 

The Holy Spirit creates, preserves, promotes, 
and perfects the Christian life in the children 
of God. 

8. Was the Holy Spirit active before Christ? 

Yes : He wrought in the creation, inspired 
the prophets, sanctified the pious under the 
Jewish dispensation, and comforted them by 
the hope of the future redemption. 

9. How does He work in the new dispensation? 

As the Spirit of Jesus Christ, applying to us 
the fulness of the accomplished redemption, 
and making us children of God and heirs of 
life everlasting. 

10. When was the Holy Spirit poured out in this ful- 
ness upon the apostles? 

On the day of Pentecost, the fiftieth day 
after the resurrection of Christ. 



48 



THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 



11. Was the effusion of the Spirit confined to the day 
of Pentecost? 

No: He works continually in Christendom 
through the means of grace, and dwells in all 
true believers as their guide and comforter. 

12. How can you receive the precious gift of the Holy 
Spirit? 

By prayer, and the right use of the means 
of grace. 

XXXIV. The Christian Church, 

1. Where does the Holy Spirit dwell and ivork? 
In the Christian Church. 

2. What is the Christian Church? 

The communion of all believers under Christ 
the head. 

3. Who founded the Christian Cliurch? 

The exalted Saviour, on the fiftieth day after 
his resurrection, by the outpouring of the Holy 
Spirit upon his disciples, in Jerusalem. 

4. Can it ever perish? 

No: the gates of hell shall not prevail 
against it. 

5. What are the essential attributes of the Church? 

The Church of Christ is one, holy, and uni- 
versal in its nature and destination; and is to 
become so more and more in its manifestation. 

6. What is meant by the Church militant? 

The Church on earth, in conflict with the 
world, sin, and error, till the coming of Christ. 



THE MEANS OF GEACE. 



49 



7. What is meant by the Church triumphant? 
The perfect kingdom of glory in heaven. 

8. What is the mission of the Church on earth? 

To lead unbelievers to Christ, and to pre- 
pare believers for heaven. 

9. Is it enough to be in external communion with the 
Church in order to be saved? 

No : we must be living members of the body 
of Christ. 

10. What will become at last of the dead and hypo- 
critical members of the Church ? 

They will be cut off, and cast into the fire. 

11. What do you mean by the Communion of Saints? 
The true children of God in heaven and on 

earth, notwithstanding the differences of race, 
language, and denomination, are one in Christ 
their common head and Saviour, and should 
manifest this unity by mutual intercession and 
brotherly love. 



XXXV. The Means of Grace. 

1. How does the Holy Spirit work in the Church? 
By the means of grace. 

2. What are the means of grace? 

The Word of God, and the Sacraments. 

3. How are these related to each other? 

By the word of God salvation is preached to 
us; by the sacraments it is sealed, — that is, 
confirmed and made available to us. 

5* 



50 THE MEANS OF GRACE. 

4. What is the word of God? 

The revelation of God which is contained in 
the Holy Scriptures, and continually proclaimed 
by the preaching of the gospel. 

5. Wlio instituted the preaching of the gospel t 
Jesus Christ, when he sent out the apostles 

with the commission: " Preach the gospel to 
every creature." 

6. What is a sacrament? 

A holy ordinance instituted by Christ, where- 
by, under visible signs and seals, divine grace 
is offered and applied to believers. 

7. What are the typical sacraments of the Old Testa- 
ment? 

Circumcision, and the Passover-. 

8. What are the sacraments of the New Testament? 
Holy Baptism, and the Holy Communion or 

the Lord's Supper. 

9. How are these two sacraments related to each other? 

By Baptism we are introduced into the com- 
munion with Christ; by the Lord's Supper we 
are preserved and strengthened in it. 

10. What is the effect of the sacraments? 

They convey a blessing upon the worthy, a 
curse upon the unworthy, partaker. 

11. What is necessary for the worthy reception of the 
sacrament? 

Sincere repentance of our sins, and a hearty 
faith in Christ. 



HOLY BAPTISM. 



51 



12. Are the sacraments necessary to salvation? 
We are bound to the ordinances of God, but 
God is free. 



XXXVI. Holy Baptism. 

1. When did Christ institute holy Baptism? 
After his resurrection, and shortly before 

his ascension. 

2. By what words ? 

Teach all nations, baptizing them in 
the name of the father, and of the son, 
and of the holy ghost ; teaching them 
to observe all things whatsoever i have 
commanded you. 

. What is the outward sign of Baptism ? 
Water, by which the purifying and renewing 
power of the Holy Spirit is represented. 

4. What is the inward grace and spiritual benefit of 
Baptism ? 

The remission of sins, and the gift of the 
Holy Spirit. 

5. What, then, is the nature of Baptism? 
Baptism is a covenant of grace of the triune 

God with man, whereby God promises forgive- 
ness and salvation, and man vows obedience 
and devotion to him. 

6. Will, then, all baptized persons be saved? 

No ; but those only who keep their bap- 
tismal vow and are faithful unto death. 



52 



THE LORD'S SUPPER. 



7. Is there forgiveness for sins committed after Bap- 
tism ? 

Yes : if we at once sincerely repent and 
take refuge in Christ. 

8. May children of Christian parents be baptized? 
Yes : for the Saviour says : " Suffer the little 

children to corne unto me, and forbid them not : 
for of such is the kingdom of God." 

9. What is the duty of parents and pastors to bap- 
tized children ? 

To train them up in the Christian religion, 
and prepare them for confirmation and full 
communion with the Church. 

10. What is confirmation? 

The solemn public renewal of the baptismal 
vow. 

11. What is the duty of those baptized and con- 
firmed ? 

They should be evermore thankful to God 
for receiving them into his covenant of grace, 
and never doubt his promises ; but they should 
also renew their vows by daily repentance, and 
grow up to full manhood in Christ. 



XXXVII. The Lord's Supper. 

1. What is the second sacrament of the Christian 
Church ? 

The Lord's Supper or the Holy Communion. 

2. When did Clirist institute this sacrament ? 
In the night before his crucifixion. 



THE LORD'S SUPPER. 



53 



3. Give me the words of institution. 

Our Lord Jesus, the same night in which He 
was betrayed, took bread ; and when He had 
given thanks, He brake it, and said : 

Take, eat : this is My body, which is 
broken for you : this do in remembrance 
of Me. 

After the same manner also He took the 
cup, when He had supped, saying : 
Drink ye all of it: this cup is the 

NEW TESTAMENT IN My BLOOD, WHICH IS 
SHED FOR MANY FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS : 
THIS DO YE, AS OFT AS YE DRINK IT, IN RE- 
MEMBRANCE OF ME. 

4. What are the visible signs or elements of the 
Lord's Supper? 

Bread and wine, by which the body and 
blood of Christ are set forth and sealed. 

5. What is the invisible grace of the Lord's Supper? 

The body of Christ broken for us, and his 
blood shed for the remission of sins. 

6. What is the meaning and design of this sacra- 
ment ? 

It is a memorial of the blessed sacrifice of 
Christ, whereby we commemorate his passion 
and death, and appropriate anew the benefits 
of his atonement. 

7. What else is this sacrament ? 

A communion of the body and blood of 
Christ, who died for us and lives forever, 



54 the lord's supper. 

whereby our souls are nourished unto everlast- 
ing life. 

8. What is it in addition to this ? 

A communion of believers with each other, 
as members of the same mystical body of 
Christ. 

9. What, then, does the believer receive in the Lord's 
Sapper ? 

Jesus Christ, who is the bread of life and 
the manna from heaven, together with all his 
benefits. 

10. How do we receive this great blessing ? 

Not in a natural or carnal manner, but by 
the power of the Holy Spirit through faith, 
which unites us to Christ. 

11. Who are invited to the Lord's Supper? 

All believers who heartily repent of their 
sins, repose their whole trust in Christ, and 
hunger and thirst after communion with him. 

12. What do unworthy communicants receive in the 
Lord's Supper? 

They eat and drink judgment to themselves, 
not discerning the Lord's body. 

13. Should those guilty of gross offences be admitted 
to the Lord's Supper? 

By no means ; but they should be sus- 
pended, or even be cut off from the Church, 
until they repent. 

14. How should we prepare ourselves for a worthy 
communion ? 



THE ORDER OF SALVATION. 55 



By prayer, by meditating on Christ's passion, 
and by earnest self-examination as to our re- 
pentance, faith, love to Christ, to the brethren, 
and to all men. 



XXXVIIL The Order of Salvation — 
Kegeneration. 

1. What are the principal acts in the work of grace? 
Election, vocation, regeneration, justifica- 
tion, sanctification, and glorification. 

2. What is election, or predestination ? 

The eternal purpose of free grace, whereby 
God has chosen us in Christ, that we should 
be holy and obtain salvation through him. 

3. What use should you make of this doctrine? 

It should increase our gratitude to God, 
make us more diligent and watchful in our 
conflict with sin, and give us comfort in our 
trials. 

. 4. What is vocation, or calling ? 

The invitation made to the sinner, through 
the gospel, to enter into the kingdom of God. 

5. What is conversion? 

Conversion is a change of heart, by which 
we turn away from sin and turn to Christ, in 
true repentance and faith. 

6. What are the marks of true repentance ? 
Knowledge of sin, hearty sorrow for it, 



56 JUSTIFICATION AND SANCTIFICATION. 

hatred of it, and a sincere purpose to lead a 
life of holy obedience. 

7. What are the marks of true faith? 
Knowledge of Christ, assent to the truth 

of his gospel, and hearty trust in him as our 
Saviour. 

8. Can you repent and believe in your own strength? 
By no means ; but only by the power of 

the Holy Spirit, w T ho enlightens our darkened 
understanding, and creates in us a new heart. 

9. What do you call this great change? 
Regeneration or the new birth, without which 

no man can enter into the kingdom of God. 

10. What do you mean by regeneration ? 

That act of the Holy Ghost, by which we 
become partakers of the divine life, or new 
creatures in Christ Jesus. 

11. Why do all men need regeneration? 
Because they are all born of the flesh, are 

dead in sin, and hence disqualified by nature 
for communion with a holy God. 

12. What are the effects of regeneration ? 

By regeneration we become children of God, 
and heirs of eternal life. 



XXXIX, Justification and Sanctification. 

1 . What is justification ? 

The act of God, by w T hich he pardons all 



JUSTIFICATION AND SANCTIFICATION. 57 

our sins, and applies to us the righteousness 
of Christ. 

2. How is the sinner justified? 

By the free grace of God in Christ through 
faith, which so unites us to Christ that he lives 
in us and we in him. 

3.. What is the effect of justification upon the heart? 
Peace with God, which passes all under- 
standing. 

4. What is the evidence of justification ? 

Good works, or a holy life and conver- 
sation. 

5. Can there be true faith without good works? 

No ; true faith works by love, purifies the 
heart, overcomes the world, and abounds in 
the fruits of righteousness. 

6. What is sanctification ? 

Our continual growth in grace through the 
indwelling and power of the Holy Spirit, until 
we attain to perfection in Christ Jesus. 

7. What are the chief Christian graces or virtues? 
Faith, hope, and love. 

8. What is glorification? 

The completion of the work of grace at the 
coming of Christ, when we shall share in his 
glory and enjoy him forever. 



6 



58 RESURRECTION OF THE BODY. 



XL. The Eesurrection of the Body, and the 
Life Everlasting. 

1. When will the work of grace be completed? 

At the glorious coming of our Lord Jesus 
Christ. 

2. What will take place at the coming of Clirist? 
The resurrection of the dead, and the judg- 
ment of the world. 

3. Shall all men rise again? 

Yes ; the righteous shall rise unto the resur- 
rection of life, the wicked unto the resurrection 
of damnation. 

4. How ivill the resurrection be effected? 

By the almighty power of God, who first 
made man of the dust, and can also raise him 
from the dust. 

5. Where is the soul of the believer between death and 
the resurrection? 

In blessed communion with Christ, waiting 
for the glorious resurrection of the body, and 
for the consummation of the kingdom of God. 

6. On what ground do you rest your hope for a 
blessed resurrection? 

On the resurrection of Christ, and our living 
union with him. 

7. What ivill be the nature of the resurrection-body of 

believers? 

It will be a spiritual body, immortal, incor- 
ruptible, and like unto the glorious body of 
Jesus Christ. 



RESURRECTION OF THE BODY. 59 



8. What will follow the resurrection of believers? 
The life everlasting, which begins already 

here with faith in Christ, but w T hich will then 
be gloriously completed. 

9. What do you mean by the life everlasting in 
heaven? 

A state of perfect freedom from sin and 
death, and of unspeakable joy and glory in 
unbroken communion with the triune God and 
the innumerable company of saints and angels. 

10. What are the employments of the saints in heaven ? 
They will perfectly know God, love, serve, 

and praise him forever. 

11. What effect should this hope have upon you? 

It should inspire me with increased zeal to 
lead a godly life in the constant fear and love 
of God, so that I may die in peace and attain 
at last to the glorious resurrection of the just. 



60 



THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. 



PART THIRD. 
Mt (&%xUtwn "gift. 

XLL The Ten Commandments. 

1. What is your duty in view of what God has done 
for you? 

To be thankful for so great a salvation from 
sin and death, and to present myself a living 
sacrifice unto God. 

2. How do you prove your thankfulness to God? 
By keeping God's holy law. 

3. What is the sum of the law of God? 
Love to God, and love to our neighbor. 

4. Where is the moral law briefly summed up? 

In the decalogue, or the ten commandments 
which God gave through Moses to the people 
of Israel from Mount Sinai, after their deliver- 
ance from Egypt, and before their entrance 
into the land of promise. 

5. What is the use and object of the law? 

It is to all men a mirror of the holy will of 
God, and their own sinfulness; to the uncon- 
verted, a wholesome restraint, and schoolmaster 
to bring them unto Christ ; to the converted, a 
rule of holy living. 



THE FIRST COMMANDMENT. 



61 



6. But has Christ not abolished the law? 

No; he has fulfilled the law by his doctrine 
and example; he has redeemed us from its 
curse ; and he enables us, by his Holy Spirit, 
to keep it in its true spiritual sense. 

7. How are the ten commandments divided? 
Into two tables. 

8. Of what does the first table treat? 

Of our duties to God, or of love to God. 

9. Of what does the second table treat? 

Of our duties to man, or of love to our 
neighbor. 

10. What does each commandment comprehend? 
Each commandment enjoins a virtue, and 

forbids the opposite sin. 



XLIL The First Commandment. 

1. What is the preface to the ten commandments? 

5 am tf)e 3Lori tf)g <©oti, tofjo irouflt)t tfyn 
out of tfjt lanti of iEsSPt* out of tf)e fjouge 
of feontiage. 

2. What does this mean? 

God reminds us thereby of his holy majesty, 
and of his redeeming mercy, that we might 
keep his law not only from fear, but from 
gratitude and love. 

3. What is the first commandment? 

Cijou sijalt fjabe uo otfjer goiig btfm JSle. 

• 6* 



62 THE SECOND COMMANDMENT. 



4. What does God forbid in this commandment f 
All kinds of idolatry, or creature-worship. 

5. What is idolatry? 

The worship of any thing which is not 
God, as the stars, or animals, or men, or 
angels. 

6. What else may be called idolatry? 

All immoderate attachment to ourselves, to 
the world, or to any creature, whereby we de- 
tract from the supreme honor and love due to 
God. 

7. What does God require in this commandment? 
That we should fear and love God above all 

things, worship him only, and find our highest 
joy and delight in him. 



XLIIL The Second Commandment, 

1. What is the second commandment? 

Cfjou 0f)alt not mafee unto tf)ee ang graben 
image, or ang iitzntm of ang tfjmg tijat is 
in fjeaben aiobe, or tfjat is in tf)e eartf) 
fieneatf), or tfjat is in tf)e toater under tfje 
eartf): tf)ou sfjalt not Job) ioton tJjgself to 
tf)em, nor serbe tf)em* 

jFor I tf)e iLorti tf)g ©oti am a jealous 
(Soft, btstttng tf)e mtquttg of tf)e fathers upon 
ti)e cfjtliiren unto tt)e tf)trii anti fourth gene^ 
ration of tfjem tf)at fjate i¥te ; an* Vetoing 
mercg unto thousands of tf)em tf)at lobe i&e, 
anti feeep itlg commandments. 



THE SECOND COMMANDMENT. 



63 



2. What does God forbid in this commandment t 
The worship of images, and all false modes 

of worship which are contrary to the word of 
God. 

3. Are, then, all images forbidden by God? 

No : images of creatures are allowed, but 
not for idolatrous or superstitious uses. 

4. What does God enjoin in this commandment ? 
That we should worship God, who is a Spirit, 

in spirit and in truth. 

5. What belongs to the true worship of Godf 

The reading of the Holy Scriptures, the 
preaching of the gospel, prayer and praise, 
and the administration of the sacraments 
according to God's appointment. 

6. How does God enforce this commandment f 

By reminding us of his zeal for the purity 
of worship, by threatening his wrath, and pro- 
mising his mercy unto children and children's 
children. 

7. Why does he thus enforce this commandment ? 
Because apostasy from the true worship of 

the Lord our God is the fruitful source of all 
manner of superstition and vice. 



64 THE THIRD COMMANDMENT. 



XLIV. The Third Commandment. 

1. What is the third commandment? 

&f)ou gfjalt not tafee tfje name of tf)e iLortr 
tf)g ©oti in bain, 

dFor tf)e 2Lcrt totll not f)oIti f)tm guiltier 
tf)at tafeeti) 5tt?ts name in batm 

2. JF/iotf cfo understand by the name of 
God? 

Every thing by which he makes himself 
known to us, — his names, titles, attributes, 
words, works, and ordinances. 

3. What does God forbid in this commandment? 

False and rash oaths, blasphemy, cursing, 
swearing, and all profanity in thought and 
speech. 

4. In what cases are Christians allowed to swear? 

When the magistrate, as the minister of 
God, demands an oath for the defence of truth 
and justice. 

5. What is required in the third commandment? 

That we should think and speak with deep 
reverence of God and all holy things, and 
glorify the name of the Lord in our lives. 

6. Why is a special warning added to this command- 
ment ? 

Because sins of profanity are often over- 



THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT. 65 



looked or slightly thought of by men, but are, 
nevertheless, an abomination to God, and ex- 
pose us to his righteous judgment. 



XLV. The Fourth Commandment. 

1. What is the fourth commandment f 

5£ememuer tfje sauuatf) l*ag f to fteep it 
Solg. &ix bags 0f)alt tfjou lafior, anfc ifo 
all tf)B toorfe: but tfje sebentf) iiag is tfje 
safifiatl) of tf)e EoriJ tf)g ©oi: in it tljou 
sf)alt not tio ang toorft, tljou, nor tf)g son, 
nor tftg ftaugfjter, tf)g ntan-serbant, nor tf)S 
mait^serbant, nor tf)g cattle, nor tf)g stranger 
ttjat ts tottfjin tf)g gates. 

or m six bags tf)e Eortr matte fieaben anti 
eartf), tf)e sea, anti all tfjat tn tf)em ts, anti 
rested t|e sebentf) bag: therefore tf)e Horti 
tlesseti tf)e sabiatf) iag, anti fiallotoeti tt. 

2. TFAatf cZoes God forbid in this commandment? 

All desecration of the sabbath, or day of 
holy rest, by secular labor or amusement, and 
by idleness or neglect of public worship. 

3. Are, then, all works prohibited on the sab- 
bath f 

No : acts of worship, charity, and necessity 
are allowed, and commended by the example 
of our Saviour. 



66 



THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT. 



4. How is the sabbath to be kept holy? 

By acts of public and private worship, 
by devotional reading and meditation, by 
godly conversation and works of Christian 
charity. 

5. Why was the Jewish sabbath celebrated on the 
seventh day of the week? 

In commemoration of the creation, and the 
redemption from the bondage of Egypt. 

6. Why is the Christian sabbath celebrated on the 
first day of the week ? 

In commemoration of the resurrection of 
Christ, and our redemption from the bond- 
age of sin and death, for which reason it is 
also called "the Lord's day." 

7. What is the object and use of the Lord's day? 
To maintain public worship, to give rest to 

body and soul, and to prepare us for the 
eternal sabbath in heaven. 



XLVL The Fifth Commandment. 

1. What is the fifth commandment? 

pernor tf)g father antr tf)g mother : tfjat tf)g 
inags mag fie long upon tije lan* tofjtcf) ti)e 
2tort» ti)g ©otr Q&ttt> tfjee. 

2. What does God enjoin in this commandment? 

That we should cheerfully render to our 
parents, teachers, and other superiors, all due 
honor, love, and obedience in the Lord. 



THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT. 67 



3. What is forbidden in this commandment? 

All disrespect, disobedience, or neglect of 
our parents, teachers, or any other superiors. 

4. What are the duties of parents? 

To bring up their children in the nurture 
and admonition of the Lord, for usefulness in 
this world, and for eternal happiness in the 
world to come. 

5. What are the duties of superiors in general? 

To promote, both by precept and example, 
the temporal and spiritual welfare of those in- 
trusted to their care. 

6. Why does God add a special promise to this com- 
mandment? 

Because the family is the foundation of so- 
ciety, and obedience to parents is the condition 
of all true happiness and prosperity. 



XLVIL The Sixth Commandment. 

1. Of what do the last five commandments treat? 
Of love to our neighbor. 

2. Who is your neighbor? 

Every man with whom we come into contact, 
and to whom we can do good, without distinc- 
tion of race, character, or condition. 

3. What is the sum of your duties to your neighbor? 
To love him as ourselves, and to do unto him 

as we wish him to do unto us. 



68 



THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT. 



4. What is the sixth commandment? 

Cf)0u sfmlt not till 

5. What is forbidden in this commandment? 
Murder, and. suicide, or the wilful destruction 

of human life, whether it be done by our own 
hands, or by the agency of another. 

6. Who alone has a right to take human life? 
The magistrate, who, as the minister of God, 

bears the sword for the punishment of evil- 
doers. 

7. Why are we forbidden to destroy human life? 
Because God alone is lord over life and 

death, and because man is made in the image 
of God, and is our brother. 

8. What else is forbidden in this commandment? 
All provoking words, and feelings of envy, 

hatred, wrath, and revenge towards our neigh- 
bor. 

9. What duties are required in the sixth command- 
ment ? 

That we should have a sacred regard for 
the life of our neighbor and for our own, 
cheerfully assist him in all distress, and return 
good for evil even to our enemy. 



THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT, 



69 



XL VIII. The Seventh Commandment. 

1. What is the seventh commandment? 

Cljou gf)ali not commit almlterg* 

2. What does God forbid in this commandment? 
All unchastity in thought, gesture, word, or 

deed, whether in or out of married life. 

3. What else is here forbidden? 

Bad company, intemperance in meat and 
drink, luxury and idleness, filthy conversation, 
obscene books, songs, and pictures, and what- 
soever stimulates unchaste desires. 

4. Why is unchastity such a heinous sin ? 
Because by unchastity we dishonor and 

corrupt our body and soul, which are the 
temple of God and of the Holy Ghost. 

5. What does God require in this commandment? 
To be chaste and temperate, whether in the 

married or the single state, and to keep our 
body pure, as a temple of the Holy Ghost. 

6. What does God especially enjoin upon married 
persons ? 

Mutual esteem, love, and fidelity unto death. 

7. What is marriage ? 

An inseparable union of life in love between 
one man and one woman, instituted by God in 
paradise, and reflecting the mystical union 
between Christ and his Church. 

7 



70 EIGHTH AND NINTH COMMANDMENTS. 



8. For ichat purpose has God instituted marriage? 

For the mutual aid and happiness of mar- 
ried persons, for the propagation of the race, 
and for the building up of the kingdom of 
God through Christian nurture. 



XLIX. The Eighth Commandment. 

1. What is the eighth commandment? 

Efjou sfjalt not steal, 

2. What does God forbid in this commandment? 
Kobbery, theft, fraud, and all injury to the 

property of our neighbor. 

3. What other sins are here prohibited ? 
Covetousness, wastefulness, idleness, and 

whatever may lead to theft and fraud. 

4. What are the duties enjoined in the eighth com- 
mandment ? 

Labor and industry, honesty and fidelity in 
our dealings, contentment with our lot, kind- 
ness and liberality to our neighbor. 



L. The Ninth Commandment. 

1. What is the ninth commandment ? 

Cfjou sljalt not tear false tottnrss against 
tf)8 netgijfcor* 

2. What does God forbid in this commandment ? 
Not only false witness before a court of 



THE NINTH COMMANDMENT. 



71 



justice, but also lying, slander, uncharitable 
judgment, and whatever tends to injure the 
good name of our neighbor. 

3. Why is lying such a great sin? 

Because God is truth, and the devil is the 
father of lies. 

4. What are the duties required in this command- 
ment ? 

Truthfulness, honesty, and good faith to our 
neighbor, and a sacred regard for his charac- 
ter and good name. 

5. Is it ever lawful to speak an untruth ? 

No : all that we say must be true ; but we 
may sometimes withhold the truth for the good 
of our neighbor. 

6. What is your duty concerning your own name ? 

We should keep our name pure and blame- 
less, and avoid even the appearance of evil. 

7. Is it lawful to indulge in pride and vanity ? 

No : pride is a sin, vanity a weakness, and 
self-praise folly; but humility which gives all 
glory to God, is a cardinal Christian virtue. 



72 



THE TENTH COMMANDMENTS. 



LI. The Tenth Commandment. 

1. What is the tenth commandment ? 

3H)ou sfjalt not robet if)g uetgpor's Souse, 
tfjou sfjalt not cobet tf)g netgpor's totfe, nor 
l)ts man^serbant, nor |)ts matt^serbant, nor 
Its ox, nor jts ass, nor ang tfjtng tfjat is tf)g 
netgpor's* 

2. iZbw does this commandment differ from the pre- 
ceding commandments of the second table ? 

By tracing sin to its root, the evil desires 
and passions of the heart, from which all evil 
words and deeds proceed. 

3. What does God forbid in this commandment ? 
All envy and selfish desire after any thing 

that is our neighbor's. 

4. What is required in this commandment f 

That we should love our neighbor from the 
heart, wish him every blessing, and promote 
his temporal and eternal welfare. 

5. Repeat once more the sum of all commandments. 
To love God above all things, and our neigh- 
bor as ourselves. 

6. Are you able of yourself to keep these command- 
ments f 

No ; but only by the grace of God, and the 
power of the Holy Spirit, who makes us per- 
fect in every good work. 

7. Is full perfection attainable in this life? 

No ; but we should constantly strive after 



CONCLUDING QUESTIONS. 



73 



it, and press onward toward the mark, for the 
prize of the high calling of God in Christ 
Jesus. 

8. To whom slioald you look as the great model of 
perfection? 

We should always look unto Jesus, the 
author and finisher of our faith, and follow 
his example. 



LIL Concluding Questions. 

1. What have you now teen taught f 

I have been taught how to pray, what to 
believe, and how to live. 

2. Hoiv should you pray ? 

I should pray without ceasing to our hea- 
venly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ our 
Saviour. 

3. What is the sum of the Christian faith? 

The revelation of the infinite power, wisdom, 
and love of God in the creation, redemption, 
and sanctification of the world. 

4. What is the sum of the Cliristian life ? 

To love God above all things, and our 
neighbor as ourselves. 

5 . What is your unerring guide in faith a nd practice ? 
No human wisdom, which passeth away, but 

the word of God, which abideth forever. 

6. What is your highest aim? 

The holy and blessed communion with God 



74 



CONCLUDING QUESTIONS. 



the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, one 
God, blessed forever. 

7. What is your greatest comfort? 

That Christ is mine, and I am his, in body 
and in soul, in life and in death, now and for- 
ever. Amen. 



My blessed Saviour, Lord Divine, 
I am Thine own, and Thou art mine. 
I am Thine own : for Thou didst give 
Thy precious life, that I might live. 
And Thou art mine : with all my heart 
I cleave to thee, my chosen part. 
How dearly didst Thou purchase me ! 
Oh, let me never part from Thee ! 



The Apostolic Benediction. 

The geace of the Lord Jesus Christ, 
and the love of god, and the communion 
of the Holy Ghost, be with us all. Amen. 



THE END. 




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A CATECHISM FOP* SUNDAY-SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES, in fifty-two 
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